Cong. Lazatin: Choose congressman wisely

“Angelenos must choose wisely, dapat piliin nila ang congressman na alam ang ginagawa niya,” said Representative Carmelo Lazatin (1st district, Pampanga) following statements made by Pampanga Vice-Governor Joseller Guiao assailing Lazatin during a flag raising ceremony in the Angeles City Hall held last March 18.

Lazatin said: “Sabi ni Vice Governor Guiao sa flag ceremony, napakatagal na nakaupo ng congressman ng First District pero wala man lang nakaisip na gawing authority ang Clark Development Corporation.”

“Hindi siguro alam ni Vice Governor Guiao na nagfile na tayo ng ganitong batas noon pang taong 2011,” he added.

Lazatin is referring to House Bill No. 4843, otherwise known as “An Act Creating the Metropolitan Clark Freeport Zone and its governing body, The Metropolitan Clark Freeport Zone Authority, replacing Clark Development Corporation”, which was filed by Lazatin on June 8, 2011 and is currently pending approval from the House Committee on Economic Affairs.

“Sa isa pang naging talumpati ni Vice Governor Guiao, sinabi rin niya na kapag naging congressman siya ay isusulong niya ang cityhood ng Mabalacat at ang pagiging unibersidad ng Pampanga Agricultural College,” he said.

Lazatin added: “Nagawa na natin lahat ng sinasabi ni Vice Governor Guiao habang tayo ang nakaupo bilang kongresista, ano pa ang gagawin niya kapag siya ang naupo sa kongreso?”

Republic Act No. 10164, which provides for the conversion of Mabalacat into a component city, was authored by Lazatin and approved by President Benigno Aquino III last May 15, 2012.

House Bill No. 4450, which seeks to convert Pampanga Agricultural College (PAC) into a State University, was filed by Lazatin on July 15, 2010 and was approved on its third and final reading last February 4, 2013. The bill is currently awaiting ratification.

“Ang payo ko kay Vice Governor Guiao ay mag-aral muna siya ng leksyon bago siya magsalita tungkol sa mga gagawin niyang programa kapag siya ay naging kongresista,” Lazatin said.

by: Reynaldo G. Navales

The 18th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fest kicks off today

The 18th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF) will kick off here today, Thursday, and will run until Sunday, February 24, 2013.

Events director Joy Roa said the festival, which is all set for another weekend of everything that flies, is an annual air show which will be held at the Omni Aviation Complex here.

Roa said this year's event will highlight the world-famous Breitling Jet Team of France, which is expected to perform precision aerobatic show.

"We are proud to mark a milestone in the history of Philippine aviation with the participation of the world-renowned Breitling Jet Team. And this is just the icing on the cake because this year's hot air fiesta will offer more than aerial entertainment," Roa added.

Spectators will get a chance to watch 30 hot air balloons from 15 countries with specially-shaped balloons like Humpty Dumpty, Space Shuttle, and Tulip, according to Roa.

The event will also feature aviation school displays, food booths, a fly market, the hot air balloon night glow, and concerts.

Roa said performers namely Ogie Alcasid, Gary Valenciano, Cookie Chua, Dingdong Avanzado, Jessa Zaragoza,Wolfgang, The Dawn, Imago, Kjwan, Spongecola, Joey Ayala, Pepe Smith, Urbandub, Gloc 9, Noel Cabangon, and Ebe Dancel are expected to join the event.

"One of the main goals of the festival is to tell the world that flying is definitely more fun in the Philippines. We are inviting everyone to come and join us as we put the Philippines in the map of top destinations for aerial activities," Roa said.

The 2013 Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival is supported by the Clark Development Corporation, the Clark International Airport Corporation, the Bases Conversion Development Authority, and the Department of Tourism.

by; Reynaldo Navales

Schedule for 2013 Hot Air Balloon

Feb 21 Thurs	First Fiesta Day
5:30 - 6:15 AM	UFO flyers
6:20 - 6:35 AM	Philippine Flag jump and Opening ceremony
6:40 - 7:40 AM	Hot Air Balloon flight
6:30 - 8:00 AM	RP/Malaysian/Spain/Australia Paragliding Exhibition
8:30 - 9:00 AM	Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show
9:00 - 9:45 AM	Breitling Jet Team Aerobatic Exhibition
9:45 - 10:30 AM	PNP Sky Diving Exhibition
10:30 - 11:00 AM	ACFC Ultralight/Microlight formation Flights and Flour Bombing
11:00 - 11:45 AM	AOPA-P Light aircraft balloon bursting competition
11:45 - 12:00 PM	PT 13 Fly By
12:00 - 12:30 PM	Radio-controlled model aircraft demonstration
12:30 - 1:00 PM	KAP / KTP Kite Flying Exhibition
1:00 - 1:45 PM	Airlink / WCC / Omni / Aviators / Alpha flyby
1:45 - 2:30 PM	AOPA-P Light aircraft balloon bursting competition
2:30 - 2:45 PM	FEATI/PHILSCA Rocketry/RC Demonstration
2:45 - 3:15 PM	Radio-controlled model aircraft demonstration
3:15 - 4:00 PM	ACFC Ultralight/Microlight formation Flights and Flour Bombing
4:00 - 4:30 PM	PT 13 Stearman
4:30 - 5:00 PM	Skydiving and Tandem jumping Exhibition
5:00 - 5:30 PM	Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show
5:30 - 6:00 PM	RP/U.S./Malaysian/Spain/Australia Paragliding Exhibition
5:30 - 7:00 PM	Hot Air Balloon Fly-In, RC Nightflyers
Feb 22 Fri	Second Fiesta Day
5:30 - 6:15 AM	UFO flyers
6:20 - 6:35 AM	Philippine Flag jump
6:40 - 7:40 AM	Hot Air Balloon flight
6:30 - 8:00 AM	RP/Malaysian/Spain/Australia Paragliding Exhibition
8:15 - 9:00 AM	Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show
9:00 - 9:45 AM	Sky diving exhibition
9:45 - 10:30 AM	AOPA-P Light aircraft balloon bursting competition
10:30 - 11:00 AM	ACFC Ultralight/Microlight formation Flights and Flour Bombing
11:00 - 11:15 AM	FEATI/PHILSCA Rocketry/RC Demonstration
11:15 - 11:45 AM	Radio-controlled model aircraft demonstration
11:45 - 12:15 PM	Para-Gliding Tow Exhibition
12:15 - 12:30 PM	KAP / KTP Kite Flying Exhibition
12:30 - 1:15 PM	WCC / Omni / Aviators / Alpha / Leading Edge / flyby
1:15 - 1:45 PM	German aerobatic glider flight
1:45 - 2:15 PM	Car Drifting Display
2:15 - 2:45 PM	Radio-controlled Jet Turbine Model Aircraft Demonstration
2:45 - 3:15 PM	ACFC Ultralight/Microlight Aircraft formation Flights
3:15 - 3:45 PM	AOPA-P Light aircraft balloon bursting competition
3:45 - 4:15 PM	Sky diving exhibition
4:15 - 4:45 PM	Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show
4:45 - 6:15 PM	RP/Malaysian/Spain/Australia Paragliding Exhibition
5:30 - 7:00 PM	Hot Air Balloon Fly-In, RC Nightflyers
6:00 - 8:00 PM	Hot Air Balloon Night Glow, OPM Concert
Feb 23 Sat	Third Fiesta Day
5:30 - 6:15 AM	UFO flyers
6:20 - 6:35 AM	Philippine Flag jump
6:40 - 7:40 AM	Hot Air Balloon flight
6:30 - 8:00 AM	RP/Malaysian/Spain/Australia Paragliding Exhibition
8:15 - 9:00 AM	Breitling Jet Team Aerobatic Exhibition
9:00 - 9:45 AM	Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show
9:45 - 10:30 AM	Tandem Skydiving exhibition
10:30 - 11:00 AM	ACFC Ultralight/Microlight formation Flights and Flour Bombing
11:00 - 11:30 AM	Turbine RC flying display
11:30 - 12:00 PM	Helicopter Flight Display
12:00 - 12:30 PM	Philippine Coast Guard Rescue Demonstration
12:30 - 1:00 PM	PT13 Stearman / AOPA-P flyby
1:00 - 1:30 PM	WCC / Omni / Aviators / Alpha / Leading Edge / flyby
1:30 - 2:00 PM	Winch-launched German aerobatic glider flight
2:00- 2:30 PM	KAP / KTP Kite Flying Demonstration
2:30 - 3:00 PM	Para-Gliding Tow Exhibition
3:00 - 3:30 PM	Radio-controlled Jet Turbine Model Aircraft Demonstration
3:30- 4:00 PM	ACFC Ultralight/Microlight Aircraft formation Flights
4:00 - 4:30 PM	AOPA-P Light aircraft balloon bursting competition
4:30 - 5:00 PM	Sky diving exhibition
5:00 - 5:30 PM	Meynard Halili Aerobatic Show
5:30 - 6:00 PM	RP/Malaysian/Spain/Australia Paragliding Exhibition
5:30 - 7:00 PM	Hot Air Balloon Fly-In, RC Nightflyers
6:00 - 8:00 PM	Hot Air Balloon Night Glow, OPM Concert
Feb 24 Sun	Fourth Fiesta Day
5:30 - 6:15 AM	RC Nightflyers
6:20 - 6:35 AM	Philippine Flag jump
6:40 - 7:40 AM	Hot Air Balloon Flight
6:30 - 8:00 AM	RP/ Malaysian / Spain / Australia Paragliding Exhibition
8:15 - 9:00 AM	Brietling Jet Team Aerobatic Exhibition
9:00 - 9:45 AM	Meynard Halili / Aerobatic Show
9:45 - 10:30 AM	Tandem Skydiving Exhibition
10:30 - 11:00 AM	Wings Over Asia  / AOPA-P Light Balloon Bursting Competition
11:00 - 11:30 AM	ACFC Ultralight / Microlight formation flights and flour bombing
11:30 - 12:00 PM	Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue Demo
12:00 - 12:30 PM	Radio-Controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration
12:30 - 1:00 PM	German aerobatic glider flight
1:00 - 1:30 PM	Car Drifting demonstration
1:30 - 2:00 PM	PT13/ WCC / Aviatour / Omni / Leading Edge / Airlink flyby
2:00 - 2:30 PM	KAP / KTP flying Exhibition
2:30 - 2:45 PM	FEATI/PHILSCA Rocketry/ RC Demonstration
2:45 - 3:15 PM	Radio-Controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration
3:15 - 3:45 PM	PT13 Stearman fly by
3:45 - 4:15 PM	ACFC Ultralight / Microlight aircraft formation flights
4:15 - 4:45 PM	Skydiving Exhibition
4:45 - 5:15 PM	Meynard Halili / Aerobatic Show
5:15 - 6:15 PM	RP/ Malaysian / Spain / Australia Paragliding Exhibition
5:30 - 7:00 PM	Hot Air Balloon Night Glow, RC Nightflyers, Fireworks

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is prepared for your convenience only. As with any large outdoor event, programmed schedules are subject to change without notification. Due to uncontrollable factors such as weather and numerous other factors, the actual times these activities occur may change or the activities may be cancelled altogether.

A Weekend of Everything that Flies

The waiting is over, the 18th Clark Philippines Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is on and the excitement is about to begin. The participants are signed and the schedule is formed. 

The governmental agencies responsible for the operation of the Clark Freeport Zone and Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Foundation Inc. (PIHABF) President Capt. Joy Roa sign the agreement for the latest and greatest show in the Philippines. 

Rumors were previously circulating that the event was going to be cancelled…but happily, those were only vicious rumors. Started by some private party that distributed flyers throughout Angeles City, the rumor stating there would be no hot air balloon show this year…a totally false and unsanctioned effort. 

So, happily, and to the chagrin of the tens of thousands that enjoy the annual event, the upcoming 18th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta titled “A Weekend of Everything that Flies” will be held on February 21-24, 2013 at the Omni Aviation Complex at Clark Philippines.